Let's hear it for the women

[marina]

Marina

Nearly forgot - this link is about her.  As I come from Teddington I think she was considered an interesting local 'celebrity' for us to investigate in those days of innocence!

Peg Woffington

Sue

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Thanks, Sue - the great thing about this Forum is the number of interesting detours! and doesn't Peg sound lively!

Marina

[Jim Strawbridge]

Who's Peg Woffington?  Sorry! Have to ask!

Marina

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Actress Peg Woffington was born in Dublin and began her career as a street singer. At the age of 10 she made her stage debut in a Juvenile production of 'the Beggars Opera'. She made her name in Ireland as Ophelia in a 1737 production of Hamlet and came to London in 1740. There she was an immediate success. One of her most celebrated roles was as Sir Harry Wilder, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. She caused quite a stir in this part by wearing breeches.

Beautiful and celebrated she met and fell in love with the actor David Garrick and they planned to marry. For whatever reason she left him in 1744.

After leaving Garrick, Peg moved to Teddington in about 1744, into a house called Teddington Place. She continued to work as an actress, occasionally with Garrick and also with Brinsley Sheridan. She converted a large barn near her house (probably in Broom Road) into a temporary theatre.

The first play she presented here was 'The Distressed Mother'. She used this play in an attempt to launch her sister Mary (usually known as Polly) as an actress, giving her the leading role. The play opened to a packed house but it seems that Polly not very good in her part. She was upstaged by actress George Anne Bellamy, who was at that time unknown but went on to become a famous actress in her own right.

It seems that Peg had many arguments with Mrs Bellamy and with another actress Kitty Clive. These carried on almost up to Peg's death.

Peg appeared on stage at Covent Garden in May 1757. She carried on acting up until her death from a stroke suffered on stage at the age of 46. She is buried at St Mary's Church Teddington.